So, to get USB host mode working on the N800, according to the thread that LurkerN directed us to, starting with this post, you need to do the following:

1. Flash your N800 with OS2008
2. become root
3. enter:

echo host > /sys/devices/platform/musb_hdrc/mode

4. plug in your hub / keyboard / flash drive / digital camera
5. N800 complains about not recognizing the device
6. Device works anyway!